Philip Glen Beaubien safely departed this life March 24, 2024 in Santa Barbara, surrounded by family and friends with his wife Gillian Christie at his side.

Phil was a classical intellect and philosopher, who read voraciously from Will Durant to Thomas Paine to Omar Khayyam, but it was this quote from Phil’s literary hero, Mark Twain that he kept framed at his home:

“Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”

Yes, we all are sorry and will deeply miss his kind and gentle demeanor, his inner wisdom that was inspiring, his ability to listen and provide thoughtful guidance, his calmness at home, at work, and possibly even out on his beloved golf courses.

To many he was witty, playful, insouciant and loving in all the roles he did with pride and honor, from his dedication to his family, his friends, his faith and his creativity as a brilliant design/build contractor.

In each endeavor, he truly left everyone and everything he touched better for his being there.

Those who shared their admiration for Phil have said it best: “Phil was a heck of a good man,” “he brightens the lives of all he touched,” “Phil truly was such a good man,” “a gentleman,” “always had a smile on his face.”

“Always inspired you to be the best version of yourself,” and so much more.
 
He carried through his life the small-town charm of his home in Snoqualmie, Washington, where he moved with his family from Seattle at age 5 in an idyllic setting by the Snoqualmie River, with Mount Si towering behind their home, his uncles living nearby and surrounded by the tall forest lands where his father, Glen Beaubien, worked proudly at Weyerhaeuser, and his sweet mother Nina played the organ at their Methodist Church and taught kindergarten in town.

It was this free and spacious environment there in the Pacific Northwest that that was the foundation of his love of the outdoors and the core values emanating from his small town, community-focused way of life.

Phil loved his life in Snoqualmie and his friendships that lasted throughout his years. An avid athlete, Phil loved all sports and continued to play in to his college days at Central Washington University, where he majored in philosophy and political science, loving the values imbued in our Constitution and the rights it endowed each individual.

Throughout his life he would discuss with many why it was important to protect and fight for these rights. In this scenario, he reflected President Reagan’s famous warning:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it, and then hand it to them with the well fought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same. And if you and I don’t do this, then you and I may well spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it once was like in America when men were free.”

Phil will be dearly missed by his wife Gillian Christie; his children Jennifer Gottardi, David Minniss, John Minniss, Alissa Sears Burgoyne, Sarah Sears; his nephew and niece and their families in Alaska; his many grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly and was actively involved in their lives; and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is preceded in death by his mother Nina Beaubien, father Glen Beaubien, and sister Catherine Nielson.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Phil’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at the Church of Scientology in Ventura, 2151 Alessandro Drive. Please RSVP to rsvp@christeand.co.

It is this quote that truly describes Phil Beaubien as a man of courage: “With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.” – Mark Twain.

Phil had the courage to listen well, care deeply, create endlessly, seek knowledge openly and never forget that life is a game and meant to be played so all can win. We all look forward to seeing him again down the line.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Phil, please consider contributing to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, cchr.org, a cause he believed in deeply and was actively involved in supporting.

If you would like to plant a tree or send flowers, please visit Mom & Pop Flower Shop https://www.momandpopflowershop.biz/.

Or if you want to get out on the golf course and think of him, just be sure to leave a couple bucks on the golf course as he probably would have won all our money.

These would all be very much appreciated as ways to remember, celebrate and honor him.